Filter insert and sample vial using the same

ABSTRACT

A filter insert, a sample vial incorporating a filter insert, a method of using a sample vial containing a filter insert for chemical analysis, and a sample vial kit including a filter insert. The filter insert includes a cylindrical body having a proximal end, a protrusion extending radially from the proximal end of the cylindrical body and configured to set on the open end of a sample vial, a distal end, a cavity extending longitudinally through the cylindrical body from the proximal end to the distal end, and a filter assembly coupled with the distal end of the cylindrical body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/US2017/065100, filed Dec. 7, 2017, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/431,737, filed Dec. 8, 2016, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vials for the storage and dispensationof chemical or biological samples for analysis. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to filter inserts for use in sample vials.

BACKGROUND

Many recent advances in the medical, life and environmental scienceshave relied on precise chemical analysis of liquid samples comprisingmany constituent components. Typically, samples are placed in smallglass or plastic vials having capacities ranging from severalmicroliters to several milliliters. To provide high throughput,analytical chemical techniques can be automated. While as many ashundreds of samples can be prepared and loaded for automated analysis,the analysis of such samples can take hours or days to complete. Thus,samples are held in vials for hours or days before analysis actuallytakes place.

Typically, a sample to be analyzed is dissolved in a solvent or solventsystem to form a sample solution. The sample solution is then placed ina vial which is subsequently sealed at its top by a septum, which is inturn held in place by a vial cap. The purpose of the septum is toprotect the sample solution in the vial from evaporative loss, spillage,and contamination, while providing convenient access with a syringe. Thesyringe can be used to remove a precise amount of the sample solutionfrom the vial. Typically, the syringe needle pierces the septum, thedesired aliquot of sample solution is withdrawn, and the needle iswithdrawn from the septum. The aliquot of sample solution in the syringecan then be injected into an analytical system, such as a gaschromatograph, which may have its own septum.

Also, for accurate analysis by the analytical system, and to preventcontamination, clogging or other compromisation of the analytical systemdue to the presence of solids, the sample in the vial must generally befully dissolved or solubilized in the solvent prior to injection of thesample into the analytical system. In certain instances, solid samples,which are poorly soluble and/or require an external stressor such asheat, stirring or irradiation, may not be suitable for short-timeframeautomated analysis. Alternatively the analysis of such solid samplesrequires costly and time-intensive experimentation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate certain aspects of some embodimentsand should not be used to limit or define the subject matter of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a sample vial filter insert in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter insert of FIG. 1 inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of another filter insert in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of yet another filter insert in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of yet another filter insertin accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of yet another filter insertin accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of yet another filter insertin accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of yet another filter insert inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of yet another filter insert inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a partial side plan view of yet another filter insert inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the filter insert of FIG. 1 in a samplevial in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of the filterinsert of FIG. 1 in a sample vial having an extraction member placedinto the cavity of the filer insert in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a method for using a filter insert for chemicalanalysis in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the embodiments are merely exemplary innature and are in no way intended to limit the subject matter of thepresent disclosure, their application, or uses.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. Unless otherwise specified, allpercentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in thespecification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages orproportions, and other numerical values used in the specification andclaims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” The use of the term “about” applies to all numeric values,whether or not explicitly indicated. This term generally refers to arange of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider asa reasonable amount of deviation to the recited numeric values (i.e.,having the equivalent function or result). For example, this term can beconstrued as including a deviation of ±10 percent of the given numericvalue provided such a deviation does not alter the end function orresult of the value. Therefore, a value of about 1 millimeter (mm) canbe construed to be a range from 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in thisspecification and attached claims are approximations that can varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention.

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” include plural referencesunless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As usedherein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended tobe non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to theexclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to thelisted items. For example, as used in this specification and thefollowing claims, the terms “comprise” (as well as forms, derivatives,or variations thereof, such as “comprising” and “comprises”), “include”(as well as forms, derivatives, or variations thereof, such as“including” and “includes”) and “has” (as well as forms, derivatives, orvariations thereof, such as “having” and “have”) are inclusive (i.e.,open-ended) and do not exclude additional elements or steps.Accordingly, these terms are intended to not only cover the recitedelement(s) or step(s), but may also include other elements or steps notexpressly recited. Furthermore, as used herein, the use of the terms “a”or “an” when used in conjunction with an element may mean “one,” but itis also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.” Therefore, an element preceded by “a” or“an” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, the term“coupled” refers to the linking or connection of two objects. Thecoupling can be permanent or reversible. The coupling can be direct orindirect. An indirect coupling includes connecting two objects throughone or more intermediary objects. The term “substantially” refers to anelement essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape orother word that substantially modifies, such that the component need notbe exact. For example, substantially circular means that the objectresembles a circle, but can have one or more deviations from a truecircle.

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a sample vial filter insert in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is across-sectional view of the filter insert of FIG. 1 in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure. The filter insert 100includes a cylindrical body 110 and a filter assembly 140. Thecylindrical body 110 includes a proximal open end 112, a distal end 116,a protrusion or tapered lip 120 extending radially from the proximal end112 of the cylindrical body 110. The lip 120 is configured to set on anopen end of a sample vial. The filter assembly 140 is coupled with thedistal end 116 of the cylindrical body 110. A cavity 150 extendslongitudinally through the cylindrical body 110, from the proximal end112 to the distal end 116. A throughput 160 allows for fluidcommunication between the cavity 150 and the environment external to thefilter insert 100. The filter assembly 140 includes a ring 142 and afilter material 144. In some instances, the ring 142 can be coupled withthe distal end 116 of the cylindrical body 110 by a reversible coupling,such as, for example, in embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 . In otherinstances, the ring 142 can be permanently coupled with the distal end116 of the cylindrical body 110 by fusing or melting the ring 142 to thedistal end 116 of the cylindrical body 110. In yet other instances, thering 142 can be coupled with the distal end 116 of the cylindrical body110 using an adhesive or glue which is substantially stable in a widerange of chemical environments, temperatures, and pressures.

In some instances, the filter material 144 can be a woven or mesh-likematerial. In some instances, the filter material 144 can be a nonwovenmaterial comprising a plurality or regularly oriented or irregularlyoriented fibers. In some instances, the filter material 144 can be aporous material or polymeric membrane comprising pores, wherein eachpore has substantially the same diameter. In some instances, the filtermaterial 144 can be a porous material or polymeric membrane comprising arange of pore diameters. When the filter material 144 is a porousmaterial or polymeric membrane, the pores can range from about 5nanometers (nm) to about 100 micrometers (μm) in diameter, alternativelyfrom about 100 nm to about 50 μm, alternatively from about 250 nm toabout 20 μm, alternatively from about 500 nm to about 10 μm, andalternatively about 1 μm to about 5 μm in diameter. In some instances,the filter material 144 can be made of a hydrophobic or hydrophilicmaterial or can be coated with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material forselective filtering. For example, in instances where a compound orcomposition of analytical interest is hydrophobic in nature, ahydrophobic filter material can be used to allow the hydrophobiccompound to traverse the filter material 144 while preventing the flowof hydrophilic compounds therethrough. The filter material 144 can bechosen or modified based on the type of chemical environment orcomposition to be analyzed.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 110, the ring 142 and the filtermaterial 144 of the filter assembly 140 can be made of the samematerial. In other instances, the cylindrical body 110 and the ring 142can be made of the same material while the filter material 144 is madeof a different material. In other instances, the cylindrical body can bea made of a first material while the ring 142 and filter material 144are made of a second material. In yet other instances, the cylindricalbody 110, the ring 142 and the filter material 144 can all be made ofdifferent materials.

In some instances one or more of the cylindrical body 110, the ring 142and the filter material 144 can be made of a polymeric material. Thepolymeric material can be any one of a poly(alkylene oxide) (such as,for example, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide) orpoly(butylene oxide)), a poly(ethylene terephthalate), a polyamine, apolyamide, a polyimide, a poly(alkylacrylamide), a polycarbonate (PC), apolyacrylate, a poly(methyl methacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), apolyvinyl acetate (PVAc), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a high-densitypolyalkylene, a low-density polyalkylene, a poly-aramid, apolyacrylonitrile (PAN), an aromatic polyester, a polyketone, a polyarylether ketone (PAEK), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether ketone(PEKK), a polyaromatic, a polysulfone, and a polyetherimide (PEI).

In other instances, one or more of the cylindrical body 110, the ring142 and the filter material 144 can be made of a fluorinated polymericmaterial. The fluorinated polymeric material can be any one of apolytetrafluoroethylene, a polychlorotrifluoroethylene, apolyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyvinylfluoride, apolyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, a fluorinatedethylene-propylene polymer, a polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, aperfluorinated elastomer, a fluoroelastomer (such as, for example,tetrafluoroethylene-propylene), a perfluoropolyether, and aperfluorosulfonic acid polymer.

In some instances, the filter material 144 can comprise a carbon-basedfiltering material such as, for example, carbon nanosheets, carbonfibers, single- or multi-walled carbon nanotubes, activated carbon,charcoal, and bone char.

In some instances, the filter material 144 can comprise a silicon-basedfiltering material such as, for example, a polysiloxane, silicondioxide, fumed silica, silica gel, an aerogel, an aluminosilicate, analkaline earth aluminosilicate, a fluorosilicate, or afluoroborosilicate. In some instances, the filter material 144 cancomprise a porous metal oxide such as aluminum oxide or titanium oxide.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of another sample vial filter insert inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Thefilter insert 300 includes a cylindrical body 310 and a filter assembly340. The cylindrical body 310 includes a proximal open end 312, a distalend 316, a protrusion or tapered lip 320 extending radially from theproximal end 312 of the cylindrical body 310. The lip 320 is configuredto set on an open end of a sample vial. The filter assembly 340 iscoupled with the distal end 316 of the cylindrical body 310. A cavity(not shown) extends longitudinally through the cylindrical body 310,from the proximal end 312 to the distal end 316. A throughput 360 allowsfor fluid communication between the cavity and the environment externalto the filter insert 300.

The filter assembly 140 illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 can be described ashaving a solid ring 142 and a disc or wafer-shaped filter material 144.In the filter insert 100, a sample-containing solution can traverse thefilter material 144 at the bottom of the filter insert 100 where thefilter material 144 is located. The filter assembly 340 includes aplurality of pores 344 and, by comparison, has a longitudinal dimension,or height, which is greater than the same of the filter assembly 140.Also, the filter assembly 340, by comparison, can have pores 344 on thesidewall and the bottom of the filter assembly 340. Therefore, thefilter assembly 340 can contain a larger surface area through which asample-containing solution can traverse and enter the cavity of thefilter insert 300 as compared to the filter insert 100. In someinstances, the bottom of the filter assembly 340 can be non-porous. Insome instances, the filter assembly 340 has a substantially uniformphysical structure throughout. In some instances, the filter assembly340 has a porous bottom, a porous sidewall and a cavity (not shown)extending from the porous bottom to the cavity of the cylindrical body310. In some instances, the filter assembly 340 has a non-porous bottom,a porous sidewall and a cavity (not shown) extending from the non-porousbottom to the cavity of the cylindrical body 310.

In some instances, the filter assembly 340 can be coupled with thedistal end 316 of the cylindrical body 310 by a reversible coupling,such as, for example, in embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 . In otherinstances, the filter assembly 340 can be permanently coupled with thedistal end 316 of the cylindrical body 310 by fusing or melting thefilter assembly 340 to the distal end 316 of the cylindrical body 310.In yet other instances, the filter assembly 340 can be coupled with thedistal end 316 of the cylindrical body 310 using an adhesive or gluewhich is substantially stable in a wide range of chemical environments,temperatures, and pressures.

In some instances, the filter assembly 340 can comprise pores 344wherein each pore 344 has substantially the same diameter. In someinstances, the filter assembly 340 can comprise pores 344 having a rangeof pore diameters. Each of the pores 344 can have a diameter rangingfrom about 5 nanometers (nm) to about 100 micrometers (μm) in diameter,alternatively from about 100 nm to about 50 μm, alternatively from about250 nm to about 20 μm, alternatively from about 500 nm to about 10 μm,and alternatively about 1 μm to about 5 μm in diameter.

In some instances, the filter assembly 340 can be made of a woven ormesh-like material. In some instances, the filter assembly 340 can bemade of a nonwoven material comprising a plurality or regularly orientedand/or irregularly oriented fibers. In some instances, the filterassembly 340 can be made of a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material or canbe coated with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material for selectivefiltering. For example, in instances where a compound or composition ofanalytical interest is hydrophobic in nature, a hydrophobic filterassembly can be used to allow the hydrophobic compound to traverse thefilter assembly 340 while preventing the flow of hydrophilic compoundstherethrough. The filter assembly 340 can be chosen based on the type ofchemical environment or composition to be analyzed.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 310 and the filter assembly 340can be made of the same material. In other instances, the cylindricalbody 310 and the filter assembly 340 are made of a different material.

In some instances one or both of the cylindrical body 310 and the filterassembly 340 can be made of a polymeric material. The polymeric materialcan be any one of a poly(alkylene oxide) (such as, for example,poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide) or poly(butylene oxide)), apoly(ethylene terephthalate), a polyamine, a polyamide, a polyimide, apoly(alkylacrylamide), a polycarbonate (PC), a polyacrylate, apoly(methyl methacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), a polyvinylacetate (PVAc), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a high-density polyalkylene,a low-density polyalkylene, a poly-aramid, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN), anaromatic polyester, a polyketone, a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), apolyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether ketone (PEKK), apolyaromatic, a polysulfone, and a polyetherimide (PEI).

In other instances, one or both of the cylindrical body 310 and thefilter assembly 340 can be made of a fluorinated polymeric material. Thefluorinated polymeric material can be any one of apolytetrafluoroethylene, a polychlorotrifluoroethylene, apolyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyvinylfluoride, apolyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, a fluorinatedethylene-propylene polymer, a polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, aperfluorinated elastomer, a fluoroelastomer (such as, for example,tetrafluoroethylene-propylene), a perfluoropolyether, and aperfluorosulfonic acid polymer.

In some instances, the filter assembly 340 can comprise a carbon-basedfiltering material such as, for example, carbon nanosheets, carbonfibers, single- or multiwalled carbon nanotubes, activated carbon,charcoal, and bone char.

In some instances, the filter assembly 340 can comprise a silicon-basedfiltering material such as, for example, a polysiloxane, silicondioxide, fumed silica, silica gel, an aerogel, an aluminosilicate, analkaline earth aluminosilicate, a fluorosilicate, or afluoroborosilicate. In some instances, the filter assembly 340 cancomprise a porous metal oxide such as aluminum oxide or titanium oxide.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of yet another sample vial filter insert inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. Thefilter insert 400 includes a cylindrical body 410 and a substantiallyspherical or ovoid filter assembly 440. The cylindrical body 410includes a proximal open end 412, a distal end 416, a protrusion ortapered lip 420 extending radially from the proximal end 412 of thecylindrical body 410. The lip 420 is configured to set on an open end ofa sample vial. The filter assembly 440 is coupled with the distal end416 of the cylindrical body 410. A cavity (not shown) extendslongitudinally through the cylindrical body 410, from the proximal end412 to the distal end 416. A throughput 460 allows for fluidcommunication between the cavity and the environment external to thefilter insert 400. The filter assembly 440 includes a plurality of pores444. In some instances, the filter assembly 440 has a substantiallyuniform physical structure throughout. In some instances, the filterassembly 440 has a substantially spherical or ovoid porous outer walland a cavity (not shown) extending from the porous outer wall to thecavity of the cylindrical body 410.

In some instances, the filter assembly 440 can be coupled with thedistal end 416 of the cylindrical body 410 by a reversible coupling,such as, for example, in embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 . In otherinstances, the filter assembly 440 can be permanently coupled with thedistal end 416 of the cylindrical body 410 by fusing or melting thefilter assembly 440 to the distal end 416 of the cylindrical body 410.In yet other instances, the filter assembly 440 can be coupled with thedistal end 416 of the cylindrical body 410 using an adhesive or gluewhich is substantially stable in a wide range of chemical environments,temperatures, and pressures.

In some instances, the filter assembly 440 can comprise pores 444wherein each pore 444 has substantially the same diameter. In someinstances, the filter assembly 440 can comprise pores 444 having a rangeof pore diameters. Each of the pores 444 can have a diameter rangingfrom about 5 nanometers (nm) to about 100 micrometers (μm) in diameter,alternatively from about 100 nm to about 50 μm, alternatively from about250 nm to about 20 μm, alternatively from about 500 nm to about 10 μm,and alternatively about 1 μm to about 5 μm in diameter.

In some instances, the filter assembly 440 can be made of a woven ormesh-like material. In some instances, the filter assembly 440 can bemade of a nonwoven material comprising a plurality or regularly orientedand/or irregularly oriented fibers. In some instances, the filterassembly 440 can be made of a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material or canbe coated with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material for selectivefiltering. For example, in instances where a compound or composition ofanalytical interest is hydrophobic in nature, a hydrophobic filterassembly can be used to allow the hydrophobic compound to traverse thefilter assembly 440 while preventing the flow of hydrophilic compoundstherethrough. The filter assembly 440 can be chosen based on the type ofchemical environment or composition to be analyzed.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 410 and the filter assembly 440can be made of the same material. In other instances, the cylindricalbody 410 and the filter assembly 440 are made of a different material.

In some instances one or both of the cylindrical body 410 and the filterassembly 440 can be made of a polymeric material. The polymeric materialcan be any one of a poly(alkylene oxide) (such as, for example,poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide) or poly(butylene oxide)), apoly(ethylene terephthalate), a polyamine, a polyamide, a polyimide, apoly(alkylacrylamide), a polycarbonate (PC), a polyacrylate, apoly(methyl methacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), a polyvinylacetate (PVAc), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a high-density polyalkylene,a low-density polyalkylene, a poly-aramid, a polyacrylonitrile (PAN), anaromatic polyester, a polyketone, a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), apolyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether ketone (PEKK), apolyaromatic, a polysulfone, and a polyetherimide (PEI).

In other instances, one or both of the cylindrical body 410 and thefilter assembly 440 can be made of a fluorinated polymeric material. Thefluorinated polymeric material can be any one of apolytetrafluoroethylene, a polychlorotrifluoroethylene, apolyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyvinylfluoride, apolyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, a fluorinatedethylene-propylene polymer, a polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, aperfluorinated elastomer, a fluoroelastomer (such as, for example,tetrafluoroethylene-propylene), a perfluoropolyether, and aperfluorosulfonic acid polymer.

In some instances, the filter assembly 440 can comprise a carbon-basedfiltering material such as, for example, carbon nanosheets, carbonfibers, single- or multiwalled carbon nanotubes, activated carbon,charcoal, and bone char.

In some instances, the filter assembly 440 can comprise a silicon-basedfiltering material such as, for example, a polysiloxane, silicondioxide, fumed silica, silica gel, an aerogel, an aluminosilicate, analkaline earth aluminosilicate, a fluorosilicate, or afluoroborosilicate. In some instances, the filter assembly 440 cancomprise a porous metal oxide such as aluminum oxide or titanium oxide.

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of yet another sample vialfilter insert in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The filter insert 500 includes a cylindrical body 510 and afilter assembly 540. The cylindrical body 510 includes a proximal openend 512, a distal open end 514 having male threads 516 extendingradially from the distal end 514, and a protrusion or tapered lip 520extending radially from the proximal end 512 of the cylindrical body510. The lip 520 is configured to set on an open end of a sample vial. Acavity 550 extends longitudinally through the cylindrical body 510, fromthe proximal end 512 to the distal end 514. A throughput 560 allows forfluid communication between the cavity 550 and the environment externalto the filter insert 500. The filter assembly 540 comprises acylindrical ring 544 having female threads 546 and a filter material542. The filter assembly 540 is couplable with the distal end 514 of thecylindrical body 510 via threaded engagement of the male threads 516 andthe female threads 546.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 510, the ring 544 and the filtermaterial 542 can be made of the same material. In other instances, thecylindrical body 510 and the ring 544 can be made of the same materialwhile the filter material 542 is made of a different material. In otherinstances the cylindrical body 510 can be a made of a first materialwhile the ring 544 and filter material 542 are made of a secondmaterial. In yet other instances, the cylindrical body 510, the ring 544and the filter material 542 can all be made of different materials. Thematerials from which the cylindrical body 510, the ring 544 and thefilter material 542 can be made as described with regard to thecylindrical body 110, the ring 142 and the filter material 144.

FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of yet another sample vialfilter insert in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The filter insert 600 includes a cylindrical body 610 and afilter assembly 640. The cylindrical body 610 includes a proximal openend 612, a distal open end 614 having a recess 616 about all or aportion of the distal end 614 circumference, and a protrusion or taperedlip 620 extending radially from the proximal end 612 of the cylindricalbody 610. The lip 620 is configured to set on an open end of a samplevial. A cavity 650 extends longitudinally through the cylindrical body610, from the proximal end 612 to the distal end 614. A throughput 660allows for fluid communication between the cavity 650 and theenvironment external to the filter insert 600. The filter assembly 640comprises a cylindrical ring 644 having a protrusion 646 about all or aportion of the inner surface of the cylindrical ring 644, and a filtermaterial 642. The dimensions of the protrusion 646 are the same as, orsubstantially the same as, recess 616. The filter assembly 640 iscouplable with the distal end 614 of the cylindrical body 610 via asnap-fit engagement of the protrusion 646 and the recess 616.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 610, the ring 644 and the filtermaterial 642 can be made of the same material. In other instances, thecylindrical body 610 and the ring 644 can be made of the same materialwhile the filter material 642 is made of a different material. In otherinstances, the cylindrical body 610 can be a made of a first materialwhile the ring 644 and filter material 642 are made of a secondmaterial. In yet other instances, the cylindrical body 610, the ring 644and the filter material 642 can all be made of different materials. Thematerials from which the cylindrical body 610, the ring 644 and thefilter material 642 can be made as described with regard to thecylindrical body 110, the ring 142 and the filter material 144.

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of yet another sample vialfilter insert in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The filter insert 700 includes a cylindrical body 710 and afilter assembly 740. The cylindrical body 710 includes a proximal openend 712, a distal open end 714, and a protrusion or tapered lip 720extending radially from the proximal end 712 of the cylindrical body710. The lip 720 is configured to set on an open end of a sample vial.The distal end 714 includes recesses 716 a, 716 b and a protrusion 718about all or a portion of the interior surface of the distal end 714. Acavity 750 extends longitudinally through the cylindrical body 710, fromthe proximal end 712 to the distal end 714. A throughput 760 allows forfluid communication between the cavity 750 and the environment externalto the filter insert 700. The filter assembly 740 comprises acylindrical ring 744 having protrusions 746 a, 746 b and a recess 748about all or a portion of the outer surface of the cylindrical ring 744,and a filter material 742. The dimensions of the protrusion 718 are thesame as, or substantially the same as, recess 748 and the dimensions ofthe recess 716 a are the same as, or substantially the same as, therecess 746 a. The inner diameter of the recess 716 b is the same as, orsubstantially the same as, the outer diameter of the protrusion 746 bwhile a longitudinal dimension, or height, of the protrusion 746 b canbe the same as, greater than, or less than a longitudinal dimension, orheight, of the protrusion 716 b. The filter assembly 740 is couplablewith the distal end 714 of the cylindrical body 710 via a snap-fitengagement of the protrusion 718 and the recess 748.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 710, the ring 744 and the filtermaterial 742 can be made of the same material. In other instances, thecylindrical body 710 and the ring 744 can be made of the same materialwhile the filter material 742 is made of a different material. In otherinstances, the cylindrical body 710 can be a made of a first materialwhile the ring 744 and filter material 742 are made of a secondmaterial. In yet other instances, the cylindrical body 710, the ring 744and the filter material 742 can all be made of different materials. Thematerials from which the cylindrical body 710, the ring 744 and thefilter material 742 can be made as described with regard to thecylindrical body 110, the ring 142 and the filter material 144.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of yet another sample vial filterinsert in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.The filter insert 800 includes a cylindrical body 810 and a filtermaterial 840. The cylindrical body 810 includes a proximal open end 812,a distal end 816, a protrusion or tapered lip 820 extending radiallyfrom the proximal end 812 of the cylindrical body 810. The lip 820 isconfigured to set on an open end of a sample vial. A cavity 850 extendslongitudinally through the cylindrical body 810, from the proximal end812 to the distal end 816. A throughput 860 allows for fluidcommunication between the cavity 850 and the environment external to thefilter insert 800. The distal end 816 includes a filter support 818which extends perpendicularly from the cylindrical body 810 toward thecenter of the cavity 850. A throughput 830 in the filter support 818allows for passage of a sample-containing solution through the distalend 816, to the filter material 840 and into the cavity 850. The filtermaterial 840 has a diameter the same as, or substantially the same asthe diameter of the cavity 850 and can be inserted into the cylindricalbody 810 through the proximal end 812 to rest on the filter support 818.The filter material 840 can be further secured on the filter support 818with an O-ring 844 or similar means of securement.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 810, the filter material 840 andthe O-ring 844 can be made of the same material. In other instances, thecylindrical body 810 and the O-ring 844 can be made of the same materialwhile the filter material 840 is made of a different material. In otherinstances, the cylindrical body 810 can be a made of a first materialwhile the O-ring 844 and filter material 840 are made of a secondmaterial. In yet other instances, the cylindrical body 810, the filtermaterial 840 and the O-ring 844 can all be made of different materials.The materials from which the cylindrical body 810, the filter material840 and the O-ring 844 can be made as described with regard to thecylindrical body 110 and the filter material 144.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of yet another sample vial filterinsert in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.The filter insert 900 includes a cylindrical body 910 and a filtermaterial 940. The cylindrical body 910 includes a proximal open end 912,a distal end 916, a protrusion or tapered lip 920 extending radiallyfrom the proximal end 912 of the cylindrical body 910. The lip 920 isconfigured to set on an open end of a sample vial. A cavity 950 extendslongitudinally through the cylindrical body 910, from the proximal end912 to the distal end 916. A throughput 960 allows for fluidcommunication between the cavity 950 and the environment external to thefilter insert 900. The distal end 916 includes a recess 918. The filtermaterial 940 has a diameter the same as, or substantially the same asthe diameter of the recess 918 and can be inserted into the recess 918through the distal end 916 to abut the recess 918. The filter material940 can be further secured on the recess 918 with an O-ring 944 orsimilar means of securement. A longitudinal dimension, or height, of therecess 918 can be greater than or equal to a combined longitudinaldimension, or height of the filter material 940 and the O-ring 944.

In some instances, the cylindrical body 910, the filter material 940 andthe O-ring 944 can be made of the same material. In other instances, thecylindrical body 910 and the O-ring 944 can be made of the same materialwhile the filter material 940 is made of a different material. In otherinstances, the cylindrical body 910 can be a made of a first materialwhile the O-ring 944 and the filter material 940 are made of a secondmaterial. In yet other instances, the cylindrical body 910, the filtermaterial 940 and the O-ring 944 can all be made of different materials.The materials from which the cylindrical body 910, the filter material940 and the O-ring 944 can be made as described with regard to thecylindrical body 110 and the filter material 144.

FIG. 10 is a partial side plan view of yet another sample vial filterinsert in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.The sample vial filter insert 1000 includes a cylindrical body 1010 anda filter assembly (not shown). The cylindrical body 1010 includes aproximal open end 1012, a distal end (not shown), a non-tapered lip 1020extending radially from the proximal end 1012 of the cylindrical body1010. The lip 920 is configured to set on a flat portion of an open endof a sample vial. A cavity (not shown) extends longitudinally throughthe cylindrical body 1010, from the proximal end 1012 to the distal end.A throughput 1060 allows for fluid communication between the cavity andthe environment external to the filter insert 1000. The distal end andthe filter assembly can be the same as, or substantially similar to, anyof the same illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 of the present disclosure.

While FIGS. 1-9 of the present disclosure illustrate filter inserts withtapered lips and the filter insert 1020 of FIG. 10 is a non-tapered tip,one of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate that variousshapes of filter insert lips can be used which can effectively rest on acorresponding sample vial. Therefore the shape of a lip for a filterinsert in accordance with the present disclosure is not particularlimited to tapered and non-tapered configurations.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the sample vial filter insert of FIG. 1 ina sample vial in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 11 , the filter insert 100 is placed in a samplevial 1100. The sample vial 1100 includes a main body 1102, a bottleneck1104, an outwardly tapered portion 1110 and an open top surface 1112.The cylindrical body 110 of the filter insert 100 has an outer diameterwhich is smaller than the inner diameter of the bottleneck 1104. The lip120 of the filter insert 100 has outer dimensions which areapproximately equal to inner dimensions of the outwardly tapered portion1110 such that the lip 120 will evenly rest upon the outwardly taperedportion 1110. The height of the filter insert 100 can range from about40% to about 95% of the height of the sample vial 1100, alternativelythe height of the filter insert 100 can range from about 50% to about90% of the height of the sample vial 1100, alternatively the height ofthe filter insert 100 can range from about 60% to about 85% of theheight of the sample vial 1100, alternatively the height of the filterinsert 100 can range from about 70% to about 80% of the height of thesample vial 1100, and alternatively the height of the filter insert 100can range from about 75% to about 80% of the height of the sample vial1100. A seal or cap 1120 having a throughput 1122, and a puncturablemember 1130, such as a butyl rubber septum, seals the sample vial 1100and contents therein. The cap 1120 can be sealed onto the sample vialby, for example, crimping. Prior to placement of the filter insert 100and sealing the sample vial 1100 with the cap 1120 and puncturablemember 1130, a solvent 1140 and solid sample 1150 can be placed in thesample vial 1100. The solvent 1140 has a solvent line 1144. In use, thesolvent line 1144 should be below the throughput 160 of the filterinsert 100. Also, in use, the filter assembly 140 of the filter insert100 should be spaced sufficiently apart from the bottom of the samplevial such that the solid sample 1150 is not in direct contact with thefiler assembly 140.

The solid sample 1150 is not particularly limited. In some instances,the solid sample 1150 can comprise an organic compound of interest suchas, for example, a polymer, a small-molecule pharmaceutical compound, anorganic fluorophore, an explosive (such as, for example,trinitrotoluene), a narcotic, fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins(such as vitamins A, D, E, and K), mono-, di- or triglycerides,phospholipids, and so on. In some instances, the solid sample 1150 cancomprise an inorganic or organometallic compound of interest such as,for example, an organometallic catalyst, an inorganic phosphor orfluorophore, a metal salt (such as for example magnesium of calciumcarbonate), a compound having a mixture of metal cations with differentcharges, a metal complexed to one or more of monodentate, bidentate,tridentate, etc. ligands, and so on. In some instances the solid sample1150 can comprise an biological compound or composition of interest,such as for example, blood serum, RNA and/or DNA, a virus, bacteria,antibodies, antigens, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, and so on.

While in FIG. 11 , filter insert 100 is used, any one of the filterinserts illustrated in FIGS. 3-10 can also be considered with regard tothe description of FIG. 11 . Furthermore, in FIG. 11 the outwardlytapered portion 1110 and the open top surface 1112 of the sample vial1100 have smooth outer surfaces and are sealed with a crimp-type cap1120. In other instances, a sample vial can be used in which a mainbody, with or without a bottleneck portion, and an open proximal endhaving male threads which can engage a female-threaded cap. One ofordinary skill in the art will further recognize that crimp-type capsand female threaded caps are two of many different types of sample vialcaps that can be used and other types of caps can be used withoutimparting from the subject matter of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an illustration showing a cross-sectional view of the samplevial filter insert of FIG. 1 in a sample vial having an extractionmember placed into the cavity of the filer insert in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure. As previously described,the filter insert 100 includes the cylindrical body 110 and the filterassembly 140. The cylindrical body 110 includes the proximal open end112, the distal end 116, the protrusion or tapered lip 120 extendingradially from the proximal end 112 of the cylindrical body 110. The lip120 of the filter insert 100 has outer dimensions which areapproximately equal to inner dimensions of the outwardly tapered portion1110 such that the lip 120 will evenly rest upon the outwardly taperedportion 1110. The filter assembly 140 is coupled with the distal end 116of the cylindrical body 110. The cavity 150 extends longitudinallythrough the cylindrical body 110, from the proximal end 112 to thedistal end 116. The filter assembly 140 includes the filter material144. In use, the sample vial 1100 can have a solvent 1140 and a solidsample 1150 therein. The solvent 1140 has a solvent line 1144. Thethroughput 160 allows for fluid communication between the cavity 150 andthe interior of the sample vial 1100. Specifically, the throughput 160allows for a pressure equilibrium between the cavity 150 and theinterior of the sample vial 1100 such that the solvent line 1144 can beat the same point inside and outside of the cavity 150 and the gasesabove the solvent line 1144 inside the cavity 150 and above the solventline 1144 in the sample vial 1100 can freely move therebetween.Therefore, in the cavity 150, the solvent line 1144 can separate agaseous phase 152 from a liquid phase 154. As the solid sample 1150dissolves in, or is solubilized by, the solvent 1140, asample-containing solution 1160 can be formed which can traverse thefilter material 144 and enter the liquid phase 154 of the cavity 150. Anextraction member 1170 such as, for example, a syringe can be made totraverse the throughput 1122 of the cap 1120 and the puncturable member1130 to enter the cavity 150 of the filter insert 100. The extractionmember 1170 can be made to enter the liquid phase 154 and extract at analiquot containing the sample-containing solution 1160 for analysis byan analytical device.

The analytical device is not particularly limited. Specifically, anyanalytical device that can determine the composition of a fluid orsolution can be used. The analytical device can be for example, gaschromatography (GC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS),electrospray ionization gas chromatograph (ESI-GC), gaschromatography-IR spectroscopy (GC-IR), liquid chromatography-massspectrometry (LC-MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gelpermeation chromatography (GPC), gel permeation chromatography-IRspectroscopy (GPC-IR) ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy,fluorescence spectroscopy, phosphorescence spectroscopy,electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis (CE), flow cytometry,inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductivelycoupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), electrolysis,cyclic voltammetry (CV), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), atomicemission spectroscopy (AES), flame atomic absorption spectroscopy(FLAA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or any other suitableanalytical device.

While in FIG. 12 , filter insert 100 is illustrated, any one of thefilter inserts illustrated in FIGS. 3-10 can also be considered withregard to the description below of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a method for using a filter insert for chemicalanalysis in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In block 1310, a solid sample and a solvent is placed in asample vial. In block 1320, a filter insert, such as a filter insert asillustrated and described in any one FIGS. 1-10 , is placed in thesample vial. In block 1330, the sample vial sealed with a cap, lid orany other suitable sealing member, that has a throughput and apuncturable member as described above in FIGS. 11-12 . In block 1340,the solid sample is dissolved or solubilized in the solvent to form asample-containing solution, and the sample-containing-solution isallowed to traverse a filter assembly and enter a cavity of the filterinsert. In block 1350, an aliquot of the sample-containing solution isextracted from the filter insert cavity using an extraction member, suchas a syringe. In block 1360, the aliquot is transferred, using theextraction member, to a chemical analysis device. The aliquot can betransferred manually by a user or via an automated device.

In some instances, a magnetic stir bar can also be added in block 1310.In some instances, block 1340 can further include stirring the solidsample and solvent to aid in dissolution of the solid sample to form thesample-containing solution. In such instances, the sample vial can beplaced on, or in the vicinity of, an apparatus which can act upon themagnetic stir bar, causing the magnetic stir bar to move. In someinstances, block 1340 can further include agitating, vibrating andsonicating the solid sample and solvent to aid in dissolution of thesolid sample to form the sample-containing solution. In such instances,the sample vial can be placed on, or in the vicinity of, an agitating,vibrating or sonicating apparatus. In some instances, block 1340 canfurther include heating the solid sample and solvent to aid indissolution of the solid sample to form the sample-containing solution.In such instances, the sample vial can be placed on, or in the vicinityof, a heating element.

Any one of the filter inserts described herein can be provided as partof a kit. The kit can include a sample vial, a cap or lid including apuncturable member such as a septum, and a filter insert. The kit canfurther include a stir bar. When the kit includes a filter insert asdescribed in any one of FIGS. 5-10 , more than one filter assembly orfilter material can be provided in the kit wherein each of the filterassemblies/materials have a different property. For example, a kit canprovide three filter assemblies/materials wherein the first has poreswith diameters ranging from about 5 nm to 500 nm, the second has poresranging from about 500 nm to 5 μm, and the third has pores ranging from5 μm to 100 μm. Also, for example, a kit can provide three filterassemblies/materials wherein each has pores of approximately the samediameter or range of diameters, but where the first comprises ahydrophobic material, the second comprises a hydrophilic material, andthe third comprises a material having hydrophobic domains andhydrophilic domains. The kit can further provide a manual orinstructions for using the filter insert and other components of thekit. In other kits, multiple filter inserts can be provided where eachhave the same or substantially the same dimensions, but wherein eachfilter insert is made of a different material for use in differentconditions, such as for compatibility with different solvents or solventsystems, temperatures, etc. The sample vials can be screw-top vialswhich mate with a corresponding threaded cap, vials which can be usedwith crimping caps, or any other suitable sample vial and correspondingcap or lid and puncturable member.

Statements of the Disclosure include:

Statement 1: A sample vial assembly, the assembly comprising a samplevial having a proximal open end and a distal closed end; a filterinsert, the insert comprising a cylindrical body comprising a proximalend, a protrusion extending radially from the proximal end of thecylindrical body and configured to set on the open end of the samplevial, a distal end, and a cavity extending longitudinally through thecylindrical body from the proximal end to the distal end; and a filterassembly coupled with the distal end of the cylindrical body; and a sealconfigured to couple with the proximal open end of the sample vial andallow for passage of a sample extraction member through the seal andinto the cavity of the cylindrical body.

Statement 2: An assembly according to Statement 1, wherein the distalend of the filter insert and the filter assembly are threadedly coupled.

Statement 3: An assembly according to Statement 1, wherein the distalend of the filter insert and the filter assembly are snap-fit coupled.

Statement 4: An assembly according to Statement 1, wherein the distalend of the filter insert and the filter assembly are fused or adhered toeach other.

Statement 5: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-4, whereinthe filter assembly comprises a woven mesh filter material.

Statement 6: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-5, whereinthe filter assembly comprises a porous filter material.

Statement 7: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-6, whereinthe filter assembly comprises a hydrophobic filter material.

Statement 8: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-7, whereinthe filter assembly comprises a hydrophilic filter material.

Statement 9: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-8, whereinthe filter insert cylindrical body further comprises a throughput forfluid communication between the cavity and the interior of the samplevial.

Statement 10: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-9,wherein the filter insert cylindrical body and the filter assembly aremade of the same material.

Statement 11: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-9,wherein the filter insert cylindrical body and the filter assembly aremade of different materials.

Statement 12: An assembly according to any one of Statements 1-11,wherein the one or both of the filter insert cylindrical body and thefilter assembly consist essentially of a polymeric material.

Statement 13: An assembly according to Statement 12, wherein thepolymeric material is a fluorinated polymeric material.

Statement 14: An assembly according to Statement 13, wherein thefluorinated polymeric material is any one a polytetrafluoroethylene, apolychlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, apolyvinylfluoride, a polyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer,a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer, apolyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, a perfluorinated elastomer, afluoroelastomer, a perfluoropolyether, and a perfluorosulfonic acidpolymer.

Statement 15: An assembly according to Statement 14, wherein thefluorinated polymeric material is a polytetrafluoroethylene.

Statement 16: An assembly according to Statement 12, wherein thepolymeric material is any one of a poly(alkylene oxide), a poly(ethyleneterephthalate), a polyamine, a polyamide, a polyimide, apoly(alkylacrylamide), a polycarbonate, a polyacrylate, a poly(methylmethacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, a polyvinylchloride, a high-density polyalkylene, a low-density polyalkylene, apoly-aramid, a polyacrylonitrile, an aromatic polyester, a polyketone, apolyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), apolyether ketone (PEKK), a polyaromatic, a polysulfone, and apolyetherimide.

Statement 17: A filter insert for use in a sample vial, the insertcomprising a cylindrical body comprising a proximal end, a protrusionextending radially from the proximal end of the cylindrical body andconfigured to set on the open end of the sample vial, a distal end, anda cavity extending longitudinally through the cylindrical body from theproximal end to the distal end; and a filter assembly coupled with thedistal end of the cylindrical body.

Statement 18: A filter insert according to Statement 17, wherein thedistal end and the filter assembly are threadedly coupled.

Statement 19: A filter insert according to Statement 17, wherein thedistal end and the filter assembly are snap-fit coupled.

Statement 20: A filter insert according to Statement 17, wherein thedistal end and the filter assembly are fused or adhered to each other.

Statement 21: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-20,wherein the filter assembly comprises a woven mesh filter material.

Statement 22: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-21,wherein the filter assembly comprises a porous filter material.

Statement 23: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-22,wherein the filter assembly comprises a hydrophobic filter material.

Statement 24: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-23,wherein the filter assembly comprises a hydrophilic filter material.

Statement 25: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-24,wherein the cylindrical body further comprises a throughput for fluidcommunication between the cavity and the environment surrounding thefilter insert.

Statement 26: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-25,wherein the cylindrical body and the filter assembly are made of thesame material.

Statement 27: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-25,wherein the cylindrical body and the filter assembly are made ofdifferent materials.

Statement 28: A filter insert according to any one of Statements 17-27,wherein the one or both of the cylindrical body and the filter assemblyconsist essentially of a polymeric material.

Statement 29: A filter insert according to Statement 28, wherein thepolymeric material is a fluorinated polymeric material.

Statement 30: A filter insert according to Statement 29, wherein thefluorinated polymeric material is any one a polytetrafluoroethylene, apolychlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, apolyvinylfluoride, a polyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer,a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer, apolyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, a perfluorinated elastomer, afluoroelastomer, a fluorocarbon polymer, a perfluoropolyether, and aperfluorosulfonic acid polymer.

Statement 31: A filter insert according to Statement 30, wherein thefluorinated polymeric material is a polytetrafluoroethylene.

Statement 32: A filter insert according to Statement 29, wherein thepolymeric material is any one of a poly(alkylene oxide), a poly(ethyleneterephthalate), a polyamine, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polycarbonate,a polyacrylate, a poly(methyl methacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol, apolyvinyl acetate, a polyvinyl chloride, a high-density polyalkylene, alow-density polyalkylene, a poly-aramid, a polyacrylonitrile, anaromatic polyester, a polyketone, a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), apolyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether ketone (PEKK), apolyaromatic, a polysulfone, and a polyetherimide.

Statement 33: A method for analyzing a solid sample, the methodcomprising placing a solid sample and a solvent in a sample vial;placing a filter insert in the sample vial, the filter insertcomprising: a cylindrical body comprising a proximal end, a protrusionextending radially from the proximal end of the cylindrical body andconfigured to set on the open end of the sample vial, a distal end, anda cavity extending longitudinally through the cylindrical body from theproximal end to the distal end; and a filter assembly coupled with thedistal end of the cylindrical body; sealing the sample vial with a seal,the seal configured to allow for passage of a sample extraction memberthrough the seal and into the cavity of the cylindrical body; dissolvingthe solid sample in the solvent to form a sample-containing solution andallowing the sample-containing solution to traverse the filter assemblyinto the cylindrical body cavity; extracting an aliquot containing thesample-containing solution from the cylindrical body cavity; andtransferring the aliquot to a chemical analysis device.

Statement 34: A method according to Statement 33, wherein dissolving thesolid sample in the solvent further comprises stirring the solid sampleand the solvent.

Statement 35: A method according to Statement 33 or Statement 34,wherein dissolving the solid sample in the solvent further comprisesanyone of agitating, vibrating and sonicating the solid sample and thesolvent.

Statement 36: A method according to any one Statements 33-35, whereindissolving the solid sample in the solvent further comprises furthercomprises heating the solid sample and solvent.

Statement 37: A method according to any one Statements 33-36, whereinthe solid sample comprises an organic composition.

Statement 38: A method according to any one Statements 33-37, whereinthe sample comprises an inorganic composition.

Statement 39: A method according to any one Statements 33-38, whereinthe sample comprises an organometallic composition.

Statement 40: A method according to any one Statements 33-39, whereinthe sample comprises a biological composition.

Statement 41: A sample vial kit, the kit comprising a sample vial; afilter insert configured to be placed in the sample vial, the insertcomprising a cylindrical body comprising: a proximal end, a protrusionextending radially from the proximal end of the cylindrical body andconfigured to set on a proximal open end of the sample vial, a distalend, and a cavity extending longitudinally through the cylindrical bodyfrom the proximal end to the distal end; and a filter assembly coupledto or couplable with the distal end of the cylindrical body; and asample vial sealing member configured to couple with the sample vial andallow for passage of a sample extraction member through the sealingmember and into the cavity of the cylindrical body.

Statement 42: A kit according to Statement 41, further comprising amagnetic stir bar.

Statement 43: A kit according to Statement 41 or Statement 42, furthercomprising one or more additional filter assemblies.

Statement 44: A kit according to Statement 43, wherein each of thefilter assembly and the one or more additional filter assembliescomprise a different filter material.

Statement 45: A kit according to Statement 44, wherein each differentfilter material comprises pores of a predetermined diameter or range ofdiameters.

Statement 46: A kit according to Statement 44 or Statement 45, whereinthe different filter materials comprise one or more of a hydrophobicfilter material and a hydrophilic filter material.

Statement 47: A kit according to any one of Statements 41-46, whereinthe sealing member comprises a septum and a crimp-top cap.

Statement 48: A kit according to any one of Statements 41-47, whereinthe proximal open end of the sample vial further comprises amale-threaded portion for coupling with the sealing member.

Statement 49: A kit according to Statements 48, wherein the sample vialsealing member comprises a septum and a female-threaded portion forcoupling with the male-threaded portion of the sample vial.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Therefore,many such details are neither shown nor described. Even though numerouscharacteristics and advantages of the present technology have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially inmatters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within theprinciples of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It willtherefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sample vial assembly, the assembly comprising:a sample vial having a proximal open end and a distal closed end; afilter insert, the insert comprising: a cylindrical body having: aproximal end; a protrusion extending radially from the proximal end ofthe cylindrical body and configured to set on the open end of the samplevial; a distal end; a cavity extending longitudinally through thecylindrical body from the proximal end to the distal end; and a filterassembly coupled with the distal end of the cylindrical body; and a sealconfigured to couple with the proximal open end of the sample vial andallow for passage of a sample extraction member through the seal andinto the cavity of the cylindrical body, wherein the filter insert isfully inserted in the sample vial with the protrusion of the filterinsert set on the proximal open end of the sample vial, and the heightof the filter insert is 40% to 95% the height of the sample vial suchthat the filter insert does not touch the distal closed end of thesample vial.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of thefilter insert and the filter assembly are threadedly coupled.
 3. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the filter insert and thefilter assembly are snap-fit coupled.
 4. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the distal end of the filter insert and the filter assembly arefused or adhered to each other.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thefilter assembly comprises a woven mesh filter material.
 6. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises a porous filtermaterial.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter assemblycomprises a hydrophobic filter material or a hydrophilic filtermaterial.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter insertcylindrical body further comprises a throughput for fluid communicationbetween the cavity and the interior of the sample vial.
 9. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein the filter insert cylindrical body and the filterassembly are made of the same material.
 10. The assembly of claim 1,wherein one or both of the filter insert cylindrical body and the filterassembly consist essentially of a polymeric material, wherein thepolymeric material is any one of a poly(alkylene oxide), a poly(ethyleneterephthalate), a polyamine, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polycarbonate,a polyacrylate, a poly(methyl methacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol, apolyvinyl acetate, a polyvinyl chloride, a high-density polyalkylene, alow-density polyalkylene, a poly-aramid, a polyacrylonitrile, anaromatic polyester, a polyketone, a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), apolyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), apolyaromatic, a polysulfone, and a polyetherimide.
 11. The sample vialassembly of claim 1, wherein the height of the filter insert is 50% to90% the height of the sample vial.
 12. The sample vial assembly of claim1, wherein the height of the filter insert is 60% to 85% the height ofthe sample vial.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or both ofthe filter insert cylindrical body and the filter assembly consistessentially of a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material is afluorinated polymeric material, the fluorinated polymeric material beingany one a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polychlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyvinylfluoride, a polyvinylidenefluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, a fluorinated ethylene-propylenepolymer, a polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, a perfluorinated elastomer,a fluoroelastomer, a fluorocarbon polymer, a perfluoropolyether, and aperfluorosulfonic acid polymer.
 14. A sample vial assembly, the assemblycomprising: a sample vial having a proximal open end and a distal closedend; a filter insert, the insert consisting of: a cylindrical bodyhaving: a proximal end; a protrusion extending radially from theproximal end of the cylindrical body and configured to set on the openend of the sample vial; a distal end; a cavity extending longitudinallythrough the cylindrical body from the proximal end to the distal end;and a throughput, located between the proximal end and the distal end,for fluid communication between the cavity and the interior of thesample vial; and a filter assembly coupled with the distal end of thecylindrical body; and a seal configured to couple with the proximal openend of the sample vial and allow for passage of a sample extractionmember through the seal and into the cavity of the cylindrical body,wherein the protrusion of the filter insert is set on the proximal openend of the sample vial such that the height of the filter insert is 40%to 95% the height of the sample vial such that the filter insert doesnot touch the distal closed end of the sample vial.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the distal end of the filter insert and the filterassembly are threadedly coupled or snap-fit coupled.
 16. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises a porous filter material.17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises ahydrophobic filter material or a hydrophilic filter material.
 18. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the filter insert cylindrical body and thefilter assembly are made of the same material.
 19. The assembly of claim1, wherein one or both of the filter insert cylindrical body and thefilter assembly consist essentially of a polymeric material, wherein thepolymeric material is any one of a poly(alkylene oxide), a poly(ethyleneterephthalate), a polyamine, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polycarbonate,a polyacrylate, a poly(methyl methacrylate), a polyvinyl alcohol, apolyvinyl acetate, a polyvinyl chloride, a high-density polyalkylene, alow-density polyalkylene, a poly-aramid, a polyacrylonitrile, anaromatic polyester, a polyketone, a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), apolyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyether ketone ketone (PEKK), apolyaromatic, a polysulfone, and a polyetherimide, or wherein thepolymeric material is a fluorinated polymeric material, the fluorinatedpolymeric material being any one a polytetrafluoroethylene, apolychlorotrifluoroethylene, a polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene, apolyvinylfluoride, a polyvinylidene fluoride, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer,a fluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer, apolyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, a perfluorinated elastomer, afluoroelastomer, a fluorocarbon polymer, a perfluoropolyether, and aperfluorosulfonic acid polymer.
 20. The sample vial assembly of claim 1,wherein the height of the filter insert is 60% to 85% the height of thesample vial.